Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons explains the way Native People of North America keep track of the changing seasons. The changing seasons differ in each region of the continent but the pattern of thirteen moons has similar traits among many Nations. In this Joseph Bruchac book, an Abenaki grandfather shows his grandson how to keep track of the changing moons. He uses the scales on the back of the turtle. In counting the scales the boy learns that the number counted equals thirteen. Grandfather tells the youth that each moon has twenty-eight days from each new moon until the next. Each moon relates a specific story about the season. Grandfather explains that the Abenaki have stories for each moon. The book relates a story for each moon according to a different Nation?s traditions. The winter time relates a story about the Moon of Popping Trees according to the Northern Cheyenne. There are explanations from Potawatomi, Anishinabe (Ojibwe), Cree, Huron, Seneca, Pomo, Menominee, Micmac (Mi'kmaq), Cherokee, Winnebago, Lakota Sioux, and Abenaki. Bruchac writes each moon's description in poetry format and this is paired with an illustration that portrays the concept. The author provides an afterword that explains many Native Americans use this form of calendar in organizing time and seasons. Each nation has its own stories that correspond to the changing seasons. The book stresses the spiritual nature of Native People's respect for the earth. The book also includes a useful outline illustration of the turtle's shell with thirteen scales drawn as a blackline master. The book provides an excellent introduction to Native People's understanding the changing cycle of nature. A hardcover edition is also available.
